Chapter 18: One Step At A Time

After more then an hour of the vicious lashing, Victoria was allowed back into her cell, to await whatever her father had in store for her next. She lay restlessly on her side, facing the back wall and leaving her backside to the cell door. Her hands were free, but she'd been stripped of any dignity she might have kept. Her black leather pants had been stripped away as well, the only clothing given to cover herself being a dingy, ragged white shirt that hung to her knees, and her underwear. Victoria took no notice of her apparel, or the immense pain she was feeling. That didn't matter now. Nothing mattered. As she stared unseeing at the dark wall in front of her, Victoria was left to think about much happier times. Well, she'd never really had what a normal person would call "happy times," but at least she had once had dreams. Dreams, finally laid to ruin by Stefano DiMera. And she had had friends. Michael and Jordan, the only people outside of her father and sister Victoria had ever come to trust. It seemed like such a long time ago to Victoria that Jordan came to her, telling her Michael had been killed. How it had torn her up inside, not being there when he... That night, the remaining brother made an alliance with Victoria. By the time of Michael's murder, Victoria felt nothing but loathing for her father. She'd finally come to realize what the word 'hell' truly meant, and it was Stefano that kept her in that hell. Victoria had quickly agreed to aid Jordan in any way she could. She always played the dutiful daughter. At times... like when Stefano had finally graced her with the ability to not only meet but get to know her beloved twin sister... Victoria would forget her hatred, and she would almost truly believe the lies that came from her mouth. Or that occasionally ran through her own head, an impulse implanted within her mind at birth. But she would always remember... remember Michael's smiling face. Remember sneaking away to watch the funeral from a distance, unable to go to Jordan as she had wanted. She had to make him pay... for removing such a wonderful soul from this world. Her world. But they didn't get very far. DiMera was always one step ahead, not even Victoria could anticipate all his moves. But, Jordan kept faith. He wouldn't fail his brother. Not again.
It hadn't taken Victoria long to realize Michael had been completely and without a doubt in love with her. Hell, he'd been giving her that... look since before she actually had a figure. She couldn't figure out how anyone could come to love someone like her. And the thought of being loved scared her so much she choose simply to ignore what she saw in Michael's eyes every time he looked at her. They didn't have to see each other that much. It wasn't hard to avoid him, although in truth, she valued the friendship so much it had pained her to not reach out the few times she could.

But then, came Jordan. Perhaps her one bright spot in the never ending darkness of her life. Once upon a time, Victoria had fancied herself with silly dreams, dreams she believed a normal girl her age would indulge in. A dream, of being Mrs. Jordan Winters. A dream, of finding her birth mother. Raising a family in Salem. Dreams someone like her could never, ever fulfill. But there had been hope, at least at one point in her life. When he would look at her, and she suddenly didn't feel like the filth she believed herself to be, there was hope, no matter how fleeting, that she and Jordan could escape the life of a mercenary. Of course, she wasn't IN love with Jordan. No. That she would not allow. Victoria believed that if she allowed herself to truly love Jordan before they were free and clear of DiMera, he too would suffer the same fate as poor Michael. That Victoria couldn't bear. She'd already lost so much, she couldn't afford to lose her best and only friend all because she couldn't control her own emotions. And now, it didn't matter. DiMera would win, as he always did, and, if he wasn't found out, Jordan would continue on completely alone. Victoria couldn't fight anymore. Elizabeth's harsh words had left Victoria with nothing to fight for. Victoria's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the cell door opening. Most of her senses, though dulled or ignored, were back at least partly to normal. Not that the person was making any effort not to make their presence known.

"Go away," Victoria whispered hoarsely. It was rather hard to talk, but the effects of the drug had completely worn off, leaving her in a dark world of pain.

"As you wish..."

"Elizabeth!" Victoria exclaimed in surprise, turning over to face her sister. She immediately regretted the abrupt movement as a throbbing pain shot through her system, causing her to involuntarily cry out despite her pride from before. Elizabeth seemed pained to see her once strong twin sister in such a state, but she made no move to help Victoria sit upright. Victoria shook off the pain, forcing herself up into a sitting position, facing her sister. "Izzy, what are you doing here?" Victoria whispered. Elizabeth closed the cell door behind her, allowing Victoria to see that no one else was with her.

"I wanted to talk," Elizabeth said coolly. She leaned her back up against the bars of the door, watching her sister intently.

"You made your point pretty clear last time, Elizabeth, that you had no intention of hearing me out," Victoria noted.

"Well I'm listening now," Elizabeth spat, rather frustrated that her sister could still sound so arrogant, so much better then those around her even when she was sitting on a cold cell floor beaten and broken almost beyond recognition. "Why? I want to know why you did this."

"I did it for you, Elizabeth," Victoria answered softly.

"What?"

"I said, I did it for you. To protect you."

"How does selling your own family over to the enemy protect me!" Elizabeth demanded.

"You don't understand, Elizabeth. You can't... I know you won't believe me. Even though... you once claimed to trust in me, completely. You won't believe that your beloved father is anything less then perfect."

"Our father, Victoria, has done everything in his power to give us everything we want."

"No, Izzy. That's what he wants you to believe. It doesn't matter what you want. As long as he benefits, it doesn't matter. Look at me, Elizabeth. This is what Stefano does for his own entertainment. These marks," Victoria stated, turning slightly and lifting her long shirt to reveal the phoenix mark and the deep, red gashes left by Merdoc's whip, "these marks were caused by our father. He doesn't give a damn what he does to others, as long as he comes out on top!" Elizabeth was momentarily shocked into a state of completely stillness by the wounds on her sister's back. She swore she didn't even think she breathed, for what seemed like an eternity before pulling herself back into awareness. Victoria was once Stefano's most prized and beloved daughter. To think that he would make her suffer something like that... Elizabeth shook her head.

"You betrayed us, Victoria. I feel no pity for you, no matter what punishment father bestows on you."

"Would you listen to yourself!" Victoria boomed, dropping the end of the shirt. It took a moment to get her balance, but she eventually forced herself onto her feet, staggering up to her sister. A feat that no other person in her condition would likely be able to muster. The pain... it was almost unbearable. But this would be... her last chance. To make her sister see. To keep her from suffering the same fate.

"This isn't you. This isn't right. This is exactly what he wants! Can't you see, Elizabeth? Can't you see what horrible things he's done to people? You look up to him like he's some kind of god! Like the taking of innocent human life is something to be praised, something to be desired. That's not you, not the real you, Izzy. That's just how he made you! Elizabeth... that's not even your real name!"

"What... what do you mean?"

"Ask him. You look up to him so much, why don't you ask him. Why don't you ask him to tell you who Chloe Lane is," Victoria said.

"You... Merdoc, he said you... who are they? This, this Philip whoever and Chloe Lane. What do they have to do with you turning your back on your family?"

"They have everything to do with all this, sister. You're not Elizabeth DiMera. That part of you, was merely created for you by our father. You ARE Chloe Lane, sister. You have to believe me. I've never lied to you. Ever. And I never will. I love you, so much, sister. So much more then I thought I possibly ever could... and so much more then I thought a person like me deserved to feel love. Everything I did concerning the Blacks, was for you. So Chloe Lane wouldn't disappear completely. Please, don't you believe me," Victoria begged. Elizabeth trained her focus on her sister's eyes, the only window to Victoria's soul. Elizabeth knew her sister so well, and vice versa. Victoria would never do anything to hurt her, but... the things she was saying, they just couldn't possibly be true! "Please, please tell me you believe me."

"No. No, I can't. You're lying," Elizabeth denied, shaking her head again and forcing herself to look away from Victoria's intense blue eyes. The truth that lay in them scared her. So what if her name was really Chloe Lane? That didn't change anything. She was still the daughter of Stefano DiMera, nothing would change that.

"Don't do this Izzy, please. Don't shut me out. You know I'm not lying to you. I never could. You know what I'm thinking, you know what's in my soul. We can't let Stefano win, Izzy. You have to remember. You have to remember who Chloe Lane is. So many people... they're counting on you, sister. So many people love you, need you to remember. Please. If you won't believe me, then go to father. Ask him to explain to you what I meant when I told Merdoc about Philip Kiriakis and Chloe Lane. Ask him to tell you who they are. Look into his eyes when he answers you, see if his reply is truth, or if I'm the one that's telling the truth."

"No. No, I..."

"Damn it, Elizabeth! You have to. You have to understand, this life you're so eager to live... it's going to kill you! Chloe Lane would fight for what she knew was right. Let Elizabeth DiMera fight for what she truly believes in," Victoria pleaded. Elizabeth paused, trying to block out her sisters reasoning, but failing so miserably. She looked down at her feet, almost defeated.

"What do you want me to do?" Elizabeth whispered. Victoria breathed a sigh of relief, reaching out and tipping her sister's chin up to make her look her in the eye.

"I want you to ask Stefano about what I've just told you. Don't say anything about what I've said in here, just ask what I meant when I mentioned the names to Merdoc. You decide from there who's the liar. If, when he gives you his answer, you decide he's lying... I want you to seek out Brady Black."

"What? No! Father will..."

"Elizabeth, please. You have got to get yourself out of this. I can only hope that the Blacks were able to pin point our location. Please, Izzy. Just, try and find him. See what he has to say. I know you'll make the right decision. Brady and his father aren't the bad guys, Elizabeth. That's father. You have to see that. Promise me. Promise me you will seek out Brady Black if you believe even for a moment that Stefano is lying to you. Promise me," Victoria pleaded, making Elizabeth look her in the eyes. No matter how badly Elizabeth wanted to turn away, she couldn't. She couldn't deny the truth that lay in her sister's eyes.

"I promise," Elizabeth whispered.

"Thank you."

"I have to go now. Merdoc wasn't too pleased to see that I was coming here alone," Elizabeth stated. Victoria nodded, turning back to the back of the cell and making her way back to the spot she'd occupied before. She was exhausted now, too tired from the beating and her talk with her sister.

"Best be off then. He can't fight his way out of a paper sack, but watch out, least he beat the living shit out of you while your bound and drugged," Victoria said sarcastically, easing herself down onto the cold floor again. Elizabeth smiled despite the bleak situation. Just like Victoria, her sarcasm got the best of everyone.

"That sounds like Merdoc," Elizabeth stated, opening the cell door.

"Izzy," Victoria called, her back now to her sister.

"Yes?"

"Remember to look into his eyes. Stefano can lie to most, but he can't lie his way out of everything. Let Chloe Lane tell you what you should do," Victoria stated. Elizabeth paused, before she silently left the dungeon, leaving her sister in the darkness alone once more...

"Well, it's a start," John stated when Brady showed him Jordan's laptop. "But, this doesn't tell us much."

"Maybe just enough. I don't know the area very well, but I'm sure Gabriel and Michelle will be able to help us figure this thing out," Jordan stated hopefully.

"What's with the damn riddle anyway? Couldn't she just tell you in plain as day English?" Brady grumbled.

"Vicky's a complicated young woman," Jordan replied, a sly smile gracing his lips. Brady was about to comment when the front door opened. Gabriel and another, taller man stepped into the small but comfortably furnished living room.

"Ah, good evening gentlemen. This is an associate of mine, William. He might be of some help to you three in your search," Gabriel greeted. John nodded, reaching out and shaking William's hand.

"William. I do hope you can be of some help. It seems we've found ourselves another clue," John stated.

"Really? Do show us, what have you found?" Gabriel asked. Jordan motioned for them all to come to the dining room table where he had his laptop set up. Brady stepped to the side as did John, allowing Gabriel and William to gather behind Jordan as he brought up the files.

"I remember, a few years back, before Victoria and I teamed up outside of working under Stefano, Victoria was sent to train somewhere in Ireland for a year. I didn't ask much about it, but I remember her mentioning that time. You see, I keep detailed records of every mission DiMera has ever sent either of us on, as well as many aspects and points Victoria has made to me over the years. She mentioned a secret, underground training base. When I asked her where it was located, she gave me this riddle," Jordan explained as Gabriel and William read over his shoulder. Gabriel read the riddle over twice in his head before repeating it out loud.

"'The home of Aras an Uachtarain be your first stop, then on past the house of the wildlife towards the final resting place of Oscar Wilde to your next mark. Travel onward to the home of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty's objets d'art. Cross the river Liffy lies your final destination. Home of the eight-foot tall crusader, there be the ashes. There be, the Phoenix.'" Gabriel recited aloud.

"Do either of you know what all that bull means?" Brady asked wearily. Gabriel and William stepped back, both nodding.

"Well, for starters, the home of Aras an Uachtarain, meaning the official residence of the President of Ireland, lies within the boundaries of Phoenix Park," William replied, this being the first time John, Jordan and Brady had heard him speak. "The house of the wildlife probably means the Dublin zoo."

"The final resting place of Oscar Wilde, a playwright, would mean Stephen's Green. He's one of the many commemorated there. The home of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty's objets d'art is obviously the Chester Beatty Library. I honestly don't get that last one," Gabriel said.

"St. Michan's Church," William stated. "You remember, Gabriel. The tombs there are world-renowned, because none of the bodies seem to show any sign of decomposition, even after centuries." Gabriel nodded.

"Ah yes, the crusader's one of the more noted bodies. Kind of morbid thing to note though," Gabriel commented. Brady sighed, throwing his hands up.

"But what do those things all have in common?" Brady demanded. Jordan chuckled, shaking his head and closing his lap top.

"Nothing. It's just a guess, but I believe all those places are located sporadically throughout Dublin. That's just Victoria's way of showing off. DiMera's like to make things complicated," Jordan replied laughingly.

"Oh yeah, that's real comforting," Brady muttered.

"No worries, Brady. The last parts the important part, I believe at least. You said St. Michan's Church houses old burial crypts? That would be a perfect place for an entrance to underground tunnels," Jordan commented.

"Aye. It would take some precautions, but Stefano DiMera has the resources. A snake like that would feel at home under once sacred tombs," William spat, making no effort to hide his obvious hate for Stefano DiMera. To tell you the truth, he wouldn't have come with Gabriel tonight, had it not been for the fact it was his old friend Gabriel asking. He didn't trust these outsiders much, and he certainly didn't trust someone that was helping any blood of DiMera's, but he supposed these people could use his help. He'd heard much of the Bradys, knew more then he cared to about DiMera, and therefore knew of the war DiMera raged against the Bradys as well as the Blacks.

"Alright, so we know where they are, or at least we're pretty sure. But, what will we do with this information?" Brady questioned. For the first time since William and Gabriel's arrival, John spoke.

"We take it one step at a time, Son. One step at a time..."

"Father?" Elizabeth knocked lightly on the door to her father's quarters, calling out timidly.

"Come in, Elizabeth," Stefano called. Elizabeth pushed the rather heavy door open to find her father seated at a large oak desk in the sparsely furnished room. Stefano motioned for her to close the door and take a seat in front of him, which she promptly did. "I thought you would be overlooking your new surroundings with Merdoc my dear."

"I was, before I..."

"...asked to visit Victoria," Stefano finished for her knowingly. Elizabeth nodded slowly, avoiding looking into her father's eyes. She shouldn't be doing this. Her father would NEVER lie to her! But then... she had thought that about Victoria as well. One or the other had to be, didn't they? "How did that go my dear? I know you were as upset as I was. Such a terrible situation. Almost doesn't surprise me I'm afraid. Although I knew the Blacks could be that spiteful, I didn't for a moment believe Victoria would fall for their charms," Stefano stated. Elizabeth watched her hands intently, which were folded in her lap.

"Yes, well... um, it was, very shocking to learn Victoria had gone against us. But, I wanted to learn the whole story..."

"And did you?" Stefano inquired, setting aside some papers on his desk.

"I hope so," Elizabeth murmured. "I really don't know, father. She said... she said she did it for me. What did she mean by that?" Elizabeth asked, finally meeting her father's gaze. He's features remained calm, unmoved.

"You're guess is as good as mine, Elizabeth my dear," Stefano answered coolly. His eyes showed Elizabeth neither truth nor lie. Elizabeth sighed, propping her elbows up on the chair arms, bringing her hands to her temples.

"It's all such a mystery. I mean, I know nothing about this life we live is very clear, except that we're a family, and family means trust. She broke that, even if she had the best intentions, which I'm still not sure what the hell they were," Elizabeth rambled on. "Father, there's... there's something that's bothering me. May I confide in you about it?"

"Yes, of course my dear. I am your father, you know you can always confide in me," Stefano stated. "Tell me, Elizabeth, what is bothering you?"

"Well... you see," Elizabeth started hesitantly, "well, it's not something Victoria said to me actually. It's more something she said to Merdoc," she half lied. Victoria had said the same thing to Merdoc after all. "Father, if I may ask... who are these people Victoria spoke of? Chloe Lane and Philip Kiriakis?" Elizabeth asked. Stefano sighed, seemingly bored with the conversation already. He shook his head, standing from his desk. He picked up another file from his desk, taking it with him to set himself on the front corner of his large oak desk where he could watch Elizabeth's reactions more closely.

"Does it really matter, Elizabeth? Will knowing who they were help put you at ease?"

"Were? You mean they're..."

"They're dead, Elizabeth. I honestly don't know why your sister would bring them up. They have nothing to do with us. They don't even have all that much to do with the Blacks or the Bradys. It's a mystery to me why they'd matter to her," Stefano stated. Elizabeth studied her father's demeanor carefully, searching for any sign of emotion either positive or negative. She found none of either.

"Could you tell me about who they are father? Please. It may not be important, but I'm curious now," Elizabeth stated. And that was the truth, she was very curious as to who the two people were. Just those two names themselves seemed to pull her to learn more, though she didn't know why.

"Ah, you always were the curious one, my precious daughter Elizabeth. Of course I shall tell you who they were. Though the information is so unimportant, I can see not knowing troubles you. I would never deny my children anything they wish for," Stefano stated. "Do you remember any mention of Salem?"

"You're hometown? Or, former hometown at least."

"That's right. Salem, Illinois. I used to reside there, until I was practically run out of town by the infamous John Black and his friends, the Brady clan. That is also where young Philip Kiriakis grew up, and where Chloe Lane's birth mother brought her when she was 16. Philip, the son of very rich and powerful parents in Salem, was very popular, very well known. Captain of both basketball and baseball, quarterback in football even. All around perfect jock I suppose. But also, sadly, a very mentally unstable young man. As for Chloe, from what I know she had a very hard life. Raised in a foster home, not with her own true parents."

"Like I was?" Elizabeth asked. She remembered nothing of her life before Paris, she knew only what her father had told her. And that was very little actually. She knew that she had been raised elsewhere in Europe, in the small town of Gratz, Austria by a foster mother and father. Stefano had explained that keeping Victoria within his care had been dangerous enough, let alone keeping twins. Victoria's first two years had also been spent in Gratz, but when the twins turned 2, Stefano called for the first born, and Victoria was technically the "first born." Stefano explained that it pained him not to have been able to take them both back to Paris. But, according to his story, Elizabeth finally came to live with him and Victoria in Paris on her 11th birthday, where the twins picked up training together. Unfortunately, an attempt on Stefano's own life nearly six years after her arrival ended with Elizabeth being the one to take the bullet, losing her memory perhaps permanently. Stefano had explained most of the scars were taken care of by surgery, but, killing two birds with one stone, he mentioned that the one she received to the back of her head when she fell had not.

"Yes, like you Elizabeth, only I doubt for the same reasons. Chloe was brought to Salem, two and a half, nearly three years ago now. It was my understanding that the girl had a very hard time adjusting. She was supposedly teased and tormented by most of her peers. You see, Chloe was different from them in a way I suppose. Loved opera, like myself." Stefano stated. That had been one thing Stefano had programmed Elizabeth to have no taste for. As much as he would love to hear her angelic voice, opera was Chloe Lane, not his Elizabeth. "But, eventually, her true beauty was revealed to all. She was quite a young woman, I had the pleasure of meeting her once. Chloe and Philip dated you see. The young boy fell head over heels in love with her, although even I can see that she never returned such love. Which, leads to this," Stefano said, indicating the folder in his hands. "As I mentioned, Philip was a very unstable young man. His parents... well, I have from time to time wondered if dementia runs in the family. Let's just say, family life was very unstable, and the examples the boy was given weren't the best. I suppose it was only a matter of time before the poor lad snapped. So terrible that so many people had to suffer because the signs weren't noted," Stefano said, shaking his head.

"What do you mean, father? What did this Philip do?" Elizabeth questioned.

"Young Philip, murdered many of his family members and friends," Stefano stated bluntly. He handed Elizabeth the file folder. "A friend of mine sent me those newspaper clippings. The ordeal went on for weeks. First, with the murder of Jan Spears and her mother," Stefano started as Elizabeth pulled out the first clipping, an article on the Spears' murder. "Then, young Jason Masters fell pray to Philip's insanity. Soon followed by his father, Victor Kiriakis, his mother, Kate Roberts, and a few other unfortunate Salem residents," Stefano continued as each clipping was pulled out. Unnoted by Elizabeth, there were conveniently no photos of Chloe Lane or Philip Kiriakis. "The last article in that folder describes the fate of young Philip and Chloe. As you'll see there, Philip abducted Chloe from her home after he killed his mother, two fellow students, and a resident of his father's mansion. He then killed her, and turned the gun on himself," Stefano finished. Unknown to Elizabeth, all the articles were really real, except the last which he had forged long ago, in case such a situation came to face him. Still no pictures of either would be found in the article, only the headline "Teen Murder Rampage Ends in Suicide, Families Grieve" with a picture of the accident on the bridge underneath. "So you see my dear Elizabeth, Chloe Lane and Philip Kiriakis are dead. Why Victoria would bring them up is a mystery to me. She never resided in Salem, but she does know all about my life there. Perhaps it's just a last ditch effort to regain your trust. The Blacks will stop at nothing to tear my family apart, and it seems they have succeeded in taking my prized Victoria from me. Philip and Chloe are insignificant, something to confuse you," Stefano stated. Elizabeth searched his features carefully, searching the depths of her father's calm eyes. She nodded slowly when she found her answer; he was lying. About what part of the story, she wasn't sure, but there was uncertainty, she could feel it.

"Well father, I see I've certainly wasted both your time and my own, worrying about this. I'm afraid you may be right, it's all just another part of whatever plan she formed with Brady Black and his father," Elizabeth said calmly, closing the file and handing it back to her father. "I'm sorry I wasted your time father, with my ridiculous questioning."

"Nonsense, my dear. You're needs are very important to me. I understand your wanting to justify your sister's actions. You two are twins, bound together by a very sacred bond. I understand that his betrayal must hit you especially hard. Do not be afraid to come question me, Elizabeth. I shall always give you the answers you seek," Stefano stated. Again Elizabeth nodded, standing from her seat.

"Thank you, father. I suppose I am just very upset. This is all so strange, a new home, new life. Victoria's betrayal just makes things so much more difficult. But, as I said on the docks before our departure, we DiMera's are strong. And we always prevail."

"That is what I like to hear. Ah, my precious daughter," Stefano started, moving forward to cup Elizabeth's face in his hands, "you do make me so proud. We shall indeed prevail, for we are like the Phoenix, our family symbol. We rise from the ashes to claim victory and start anew once more." Stefano stated proudly. Elizabeth forced herself to smile admirably as she had once done so naturally, backing away slightly.

"Yes, father. I believe that we shall do just that," Elizabeth said.

"Well, if that is all, I have work..."

"Actually, there is one other thing," Elizabeth said before Stefano could turn back to his desk.

"And what is that, my dear?"

"I would like permission to leave the grounds. I know you rarely allowed me out into Paris, but I would like this to be a whole new beginning. I want to get to know my surroundings. I'd like permission to explore Dublin," Elizabeth stated. Of course, it was half true. Before everything with Victoria went down, she had been so excited about the possibility of exploring a new city, a new country. Stefano studied his daughter for a moment, before nodding approvingly.

"Of course you may, my dear. Whatever you wish. I wish you would not stray out of the safety of the grounds too long, but you may roam freely as you wish," Stefano granted. Elizabeth smiled as genuinely as possible, giving her father a quick hug.

"Thank you, father. I promise, I will not be gone too long. You mentioned we have a briefing early in the morning. I'd like some more time to get used to the new equipment as well," Elizabeth stated. She turned then, walking out the door. Stefano waited a few moments, before picking up his phone from his desk. "Merdoc. Yes, I have something I want you to do for me. Elizabeth is going up top to explore. I want you to follow her…"